Atos supports the development of Vega-C, the new rocket of the European Space Agency

Atos announces that it is supporting the European Space Agency (ESA) in the planned improvements to Vega-C, the new single-body rocket, whose maiden launch took place on 13 July 2022. Atos is contributing to this program by providing essential test equipment for the main launcher and also provides test equipment for the reusable spacecraft “Space Rider” to be launched on Vega-C, increasing the versatility and space transportation capabilities of this new European launch system.

Vega-C is a new generation rocket, stronger and more flexible than its predecessors and with a greater capacity to carry satellites and nanosatellites. It supports Europe’s global competitiveness by enabling important space missions that meet the needs of European institutions and industry.

Atos is part of the team developing a test unit for the Vega-C rocket as part of the activities to improve the competitiveness of the launcher. The Czech Republic-based team of space experts Atos is providing a system called “Vega Navigation Ground Support Equipment” designed specifically to test the launcher’s new Inertial Reference Unit. In addition, Atos experts based in Romania are contributing to the space vehicle “Space Rider”, which will be launched using the Vega-C rocket and will orbit for approximately 2 months before returning to Earth. “Space Rider” will function as an unmanned robotic laboratory and will be Europe’s first reusable space transportation system.

More specifically, the Atos team implements the ground support electrical equipment, which supports integration and validation for various subsystems of the “Space Rider”. This equipment includes a central verification system, special control equipment for power, radio frequency, telemetry and remote controls, an umbilical validation tool, a solar array simulator, as well as many other simulators for various other subsystems.

“We are proud to provide the best technology – including satellite testing and monitoring and space data analysis – for a wide range of space missions of our European, national, defense and commercial customers. It was with great excitement that I watched the inaugural launch of Vega-C, an ambitious program and a very good example of successful European space cooperation!” said Bruno Milard, VP, Head of Business Unit Aerospace & Defense Electronics, Atos.

Romania is an essential contributor to the Vega-C program. Romanian experts from various organizations performed aerodynamic and acoustic tests, verifications and validations of the Vega-C navigation system, as well as systems integration and validation for the “Space Rider” spacecraft flying Vega-C.

“Romania’s participation in the ESA launch program and especially in Vega-C, Ariane 6 and Space Rider represents an important investment in the future of the Romanian space field. We opened the way for Romanian organizations to contribute to the creation of the newest European rockets and space vehicles. Collaboration with European integrators and European companies already established in the development of space vehicles has contributed to the development of critical capabilities in our country”, noted Dr. Phys. Marius-Ioan Piso, President of the Romanian Space Agency (ROSA).

Atos in Romania is a core competence center for Atos’ global solutions in the space field. The local teams have extensive experience in the areas of electrical ground support equipment, mission control systems, ground stations and federated identity management.

Atos experts have already contributed to various other important ESA and non-ESA missions such as Euclid, Juice, Proba-3, MetOp SG, Plato, Sentinel 5 & 6 and OneWeb.